Meter pintar berfungsi; dengan kata lain, alat itu berfungsi dengan betul.

In Malay, adjectives usually come after the noun they describe.

• meter = meter
• pintar = smart

So:

• meter pintar = smart meter

This is the normal Malay word order. English usually does adjective + noun, but Malay usually does noun + adjective.

More examples:

• rumah besar = big house
• kereta baru = new car
• telefon pintar = smartphone

Berfungsi means to function, to work, or to operate properly, depending on context.

It comes from:

• fungsi = function
• berfungsi = to have a function / to function

In everyday usage, berfungsi is very common for machines, systems, tools, and devices.

Examples:

• Mesin itu berfungsi. = The machine works.
• Sistem ini tidak berfungsi. = This system does not work.

So in your sentence, Meter pintar berfungsi means the smart meter is functioning.

The prefix ber- often turns a noun or base word into a verb-like form. Its meaning varies, but a very common idea is to have, to use, or to engage in something.

Here:

• fungsi = function
• berfungsi = to function

You do not need to translate ber- separately every time. It is better to learn berfungsi as a complete word meaning functions / works.

Other examples:

• jalan = walk/road → berjalan = to walk / to run (for a machine, clock, etc.)
• bual = chat → berbual = to chat
• kerja = work → bekerja = to work

The sentence is making a statement and then restating it more clearly:

• Meter pintar berfungsi
• dengan kata lain, alat itu berfungsi dengan betul

This is like saying:

• The smart meter works; in other words, the device is working properly.

The second part does not give a completely new idea. It clarifies or rephrases the first part.

This kind of repetition is natural when the speaker wants to be clear, explanatory, or slightly formal.

Dengan kata lain is a fixed expression meaning:

• in other words
• to put it another way

Word by word, it is roughly:

• dengan = with
• kata = word
• lain = other/different

But you should learn the whole phrase as one expression: dengan kata lain = in other words.

Example:

• Dia tidak hadir; dengan kata lain, dia tidak datang. = He was absent; in other words, he did not come.

Alat itu means that device or the device. It refers back to meter pintar.

• alat = tool, device, instrument
• itu = that / the

Malay often avoids repeating the full noun if the reference is already clear. So after saying meter pintar, it is natural to refer to it as alat itu.

This is similar to English using:

• the device
• that device
• it

Using alat itu can sound a bit clearer or more formal than just using a pronoun.

In Malay, demonstratives such as ini and itu usually come after the noun.

So:

• alat ini = this device
• alat itu = that device

Not:

• ini alat for this device in normal noun phrases
• itu alat for that device in normal noun phrases

This is another important difference from English word order.

It can mean either, depending on context.

In many cases, itu can work a bit like English that, but it can also function like the when the thing has already been identified.

So here, alat itu could be understood as:

• that device
• the device

Since meter pintar was just mentioned, English would probably translate it most naturally as the device.

Dengan betul means properly, correctly, or as it should.

• betul = correct, right
• dengan betul = correctly / properly

Malay often uses dengan + adjective to express an adverb-like meaning.

So:

• berfungsi dengan betul = functions properly / works correctly

Other examples:

• menjawab dengan tepat = answer accurately
• bercakap dengan perlahan = speak slowly

In English, we often use an adverb ending in -ly, but Malay does not form adverbs that way.

Yes. Meter pintar itu berfungsi is a perfectly natural sentence.

It means:

• That smart meter works
• or The smart meter works, depending on context

Adding itu makes the noun phrase more specific. Compare:

• Meter pintar berfungsi. = A smart meter works / Smart meters work / The smart meter works, depending on context
• Meter pintar itu berfungsi. = That specific smart meter works

In your original sentence, the first clause leaves the noun a little more general, and the second clause clarifies by referring to it as alat itu.

Yes. The semicolon is used because the second clause explains or restates the first one.

• Meter pintar berfungsi; dengan kata lain, alat itu berfungsi dengan betul.

This punctuation is quite natural in formal or careful writing. A comma or full stop could also be possible, depending on style:

• Meter pintar berfungsi. Dengan kata lain, alat itu berfungsi dengan betul.
• Meter pintar berfungsi, dengan kata lain, alat itu berfungsi dengan betul.

The semicolon helps show that the two parts are closely connected.

Yes, there can be.

• berfungsi = functions, works, is functioning
• berjalan = runs, is running, is operating
• beroperasi = operates, is in operation

For a device like a smart meter:

• berfungsi is very natural if you mean it is working properly.
• berjalan can also be used for systems, programs, engines, clocks, etc., but it may sound more like running.
• beroperasi is a bit more formal and is often used for systems, services, organizations, or operations.

So in this sentence, berfungsi is a very good choice because the idea is specifically that the device is working correctly.

Yes, but the most natural place is exactly where it appears: before the rephrasing.

For example:

• Meter pintar berfungsi; dengan kata lain, alat itu berfungsi dengan betul.

That is clear and natural.

You could also split it into two sentences:

• Meter pintar berfungsi. Dengan kata lain, alat itu berfungsi dengan betul.

That may sound even clearer in some contexts.

It sounds neutral to slightly formal.

Why?

• berfungsi is a standard, neutral verb
• dengan kata lain is an explanatory expression often used in writing or careful speech
• alat itu berfungsi dengan betul sounds precise and technical

In casual conversation, a speaker might use something simpler, such as:

• Meter pintar itu okey.
• Meter pintar itu berfungsi elok.
• Meter pintar itu memang jalan.

But your original sentence is very good for standard written Malay.